April, 1907 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



157 



ing in this direction. The reHef should be kept well polished, 

 but the effect of a darkened background gives an antique 

 and interesting appearance to the work. The background 

 may be darkened by rubbing paint or sulphate of ammonia 

 into its small dots and lines. 



If the craftsman wishes to make a brooch or buckle, it 

 would be best to use a thick sheet of lead for the bed, as this 



Students at Work. The Girl with the Hammer is 

 Working on a Sheet of Brass Screwed 

 on a Flat Piece of Wood 



yields very slightly, and brings out the ornament. If a bold 

 relief is required, a much softer bed will be needed. Many 

 workers find that a bed of pitch is the best for this purpose, 

 and for other kinds of repousse work as well. The pitch in 

 itself would be too hard and brittle, but when combined with 

 grease, or fat, becomes plastic. The pitch may be softened 

 by the addition of tallow candles. The proportion of tallow 

 will vary with the season of the year. In the summer-time 

 seven times as much pitch will be required as tallow, while in 

 the winter time twice as much fat will be required as in sum- 

 mer. 



In making the pitch or "cement," as it is named, an old 

 pan is used in which the pitch is melted, adding a portion 

 only of the tallow. When cool, test by pressing the finger on 

 it, until it yields slightly to the pressure. Then try the 

 hammer on it. If it cracks or chips, remelt and add more 



The Work of Philadelphia Students 



tallow. Some workers add a little plaster of Paris to secure 

 strength. 



The bed is made by pouring the pitch while soft on a stone 

 slab, or a piece of earthenware, which should be first wet 

 with water to prevent the pitch from sticking. The cement 

 should be about one inch in depth. High relief, however, 

 would require a thicker bed. The metal must be made to 



Copper Plaques and Panels of Varied Shapes and 

 Eminently Decorative, Displaying Great 

 Artistic Ability 



adhere to the cement face downward; it must be first warmed, 

 in order that the pitch may adhere firmly to the metal. This 

 needs a little manipulation and patience. When the work is 

 finished and has to be taken off, the metal must be quickly 

 warmed all over with a blowpipe or a hot coal. Sometimes 

 the pitch sticks very persistently. To prevent this flour 

 should be dusted over the pitch before the metal is put on. 



Hot Water Jug Made of Copper Lined with China for Carrying Hot 

 Water to the Bedroom. Brass and Copper Lamp-shades 

 Showing Realistic and Conventional Designs 



Another practical way of making cement is to use one-half 

 of pitch and one-half of brick-dust. The latter may be 

 mixed with plaster if desired. This may be tempered with a 

 little linseed oil and rosin. Prepared cement is sold in casks 

 by dealers in tools, and sheet-metal, which saves the trouble 



